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Drug habit led to crime ‘rampage’

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A son who stole his father’s Christmas money was jailed for 12 months at Selkirk Sheriff Court on Monday.

Andrew Clamp, 20, committed the £150 theft following a Christmas Day celebration at his father’s home in Northcote Street, Hawick. The hearing was told that the accused’s father had received the cash in gifts and put the money in an envelope in his bedroom.

“His father realised the envelope containing his Christmas money had gone and tried to phone his son, without success, before eventually contacting the police,” explained prosecutor Tessa Bradley.

Clamp told officers: “I’m disappointed in myself and embarrassed. I’m really sorry.”

Iain Burke, defending, said his client had been out of trouble for some two years, but a diazepam (Valium) habit led to a “rampage” of offending.

“For four months he was, quite simply, out of control,” explained the lawyer.

Clamp, also of Northcote Street, pleaded guilty to breaking into Crosby Chemist in the town’s North Bridge Street on November 5 and stealing prescription medication.

The pharmacy alarm was activated at 4.20am and a trail of blood heading towards the High Street led to the accused being traced through DNA. After being detained, he went into his house and handed over the £75 worth of medication, saying he wanted to give it back.

Clamp caused £2,000 damage to two cars in return for drugs in what was described as “contract” crime by the sheriff.

On March 15, he caused £500 damage after smashing windows and tyres of a car at Teviot Crescent, Hawick, and £1,500 damage after setting fire to another vehicle there four days later.

Ms Bradley said Clamp told police he was given drugs as “payment” for doing the damage.

But Mr Burke maintained: “It is not as sinister as it may appear. He was given drugs and, in his state, he committed these foolish and dangerous acts with no thought or planning.”

Clamp caused £420 damage by breaking a window, with intent to steal, at Teviot Town and Country Supplies in Oliver Place, Hawick, on March 25.

He struck the window, made of toughened glass, several times with a hammer in a bid to steal dog food from the window display. Clamp caused a further £1,524 damage after breaking a window at R. H. Miller in Commercial Road, Hawick, and stealing two bags of dog food for his pet.

A lorry driver sleeping nearby heard the noise and alerted police.

Clamp had been detained on another matter and asked officers to go to his home to check his dog was okay, where they found the stolen dog food.

The accused also admitted stealing five gold chains, worth £550, from Hamish Smith Jewellers in Bourtree Place on March 25.

Clamp went into the shop and asked to see some gold chains, saying he was looking for a birthday present for his father. The jeweller’s wife brought a tray to the counter and Clamp tried one on before she put them back. He then asked if he could have another look and when she returned them to the counter, Clamp grabbed five and ran out of the shop.

Mrs Smith shouted to her husband who ran out after him, and others also gave chase.

“He stopped and handed back three of the chains, but then made off again and scaled a wall into a yard,” continued Ms Bradley.

Police found him crouched in the yard trying to hide, and £335 worth of the chains were recovered.

“That theft from the jewellers just shows the state he was in at the time,” added Mr Burke.

Concerns about his welfare led to Clamp being taken to Borders General Hospital after he told officers he had taken Valium.

Clamp admitted possession of diazepam at the hospital.

“In the treatment room, he lifted his hand to his mouth and coughed, dropping a blue tablet into his hand,” said Ms Bradley.

He also pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct at the BGH, shouting and swearing, with handcuffs and leg restraints having to be used.

Clamp told police: “I took a hissy fit.”

He was also banned from driving for 12 months after he pleaded guilty to driving a car while unfit through drink or drugs at the Shell Garage, Edinburgh Road, and on the A68, both at Jedburgh; the A6091 at Melrose; and B6360 at Abbotsford on March 21. He also drove without insurance and without L plates, when only a provisional licence holder.

The prosecutor told the court that Clamp stopped for petrol at 1am and asked for tape to repair extensive damage to his car which he said had been caused by a deer. As he paid for his fuel, it was noted his hands were shaking and he was slurring his words.

Police stopped the car some 20 minutes later after it was seen crossing the road centre line. No alcohol was detected in a specimen provided by Clamp, but he told officers: “I’ve had a couple of joints and I’m totally stoned”.


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